Grapple



May 26, 1953 R10. BILLINGS I 2,639,937

v GRAPPLE Filed April 11, 1949. a sheets-sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

B/fff HTTOENEMS.

u `May 26, 1953 R. o. BlLLlNGs 2,639,937

` GRAPPLE Filed April 1l, 1949 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

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K v ATTORNEYS.

May 26, 1953 R. o. BILLINGs GRAPPLE `F`i1ed April ll, 1949 Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in grapples.

In various industries it is necessary to handle elongated material such as logs, rail ties, mine braces and the like. Hertofore no entirely satisfactory equipment has been available for this purpose and resort has usually been had to ineflicient, and slow devices such as slings.

It is `therefore a general object of the invention to provide an improved grapple for efliciently handling materials, the units of which are elongated in shape. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved grapple which operates efficiently on material having a wide range of cross-sec" tional sizes.

A furtherobject of the invention is to provide an improved grapple for handling elongated material wherein engagement with said material is accomplished by embracing it between side portions of oppositely acting tines rather than by biting into it with the points of said tines as. in

the case of tong-like grapples.

A further object of the invention is to provide three arcuate tines mounted for swinging movementl on a common axis, two of said tines facing in one direction and the third being positioned between said rst mentioned pair of 'tines and facing in the opposite direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved grapple of the class described wheren in the tines are actuated by hydraulic rams rather than by cables, chains, or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grapple of the class described which is strong and durable, which is simple in construction and easy to manufacture, and which is otherwise well adapted for the purpose described.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists of the improved grapple, and alll of its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

Inthe drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein are shown two embodiments of the invention, and wherein the same reference characters indicate thev same parts in al1 of the views: i

Fig. 1 is a .perspective side View of the preferred form of the invention showing the tines in open position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective end view of the preferred y form of the invention showing the tines in closed position;

draulic control system for the preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective side View of a modied form of the invention showing the tines in intermediate position;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing an hydraulic control system for the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the control valve of Fig. 5 in a second position; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the control valve in a third position.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2r of the drawings, the numeral I0 indicates a, hori- Zontally extending shaft having an integral head II at one end and having a nut I2 threaded on the opposite end thereof. A pair of spaced parallel U-shaped tines I3 and I4 each having one end formed with a bearing I6 and each having its other end pointed as at I5 are pivotally mounted on the shaft I0 for swinging movement in a, vertical plane,

The tines I3 and I4 have theiripointed ends facing in the same direction. A third tine I'I which is substantially identical to the tines I3 and I4 is pivotally mounted on the shaft I0 between said tines I3 and I4 and has its pointed end facing in a direction opposite to that of said tines.

on its upper side adjacent the bearings I6 with a pair of spaced, upstanding apertured ears I8.

Spaced above and parallel with the shaft I0 is an elongated bolt I9 which is threaded at both ends to receive the nuts 20 and 2l. Positioned on the bolt I9 are elongated tubular spacers 22, 23 and 24. Spaced above and parallel with the bolt I9 and with the shaft I0 is a second bolt 25 which is `preferably shorter and which is threaded at both ends to receive nuts 26 and 27. Positioned on the bolt 25 is a tubular spacer 28 which is similar to the spacers 22,- 23 and 24. The spacer 28 has fixed thereto, as by welding, an apertured bracket 29 to which may be attached a clevis 36 to provide a suspension means.

A pair of straight, spaced, parallel and vertically extending members 3| -and 32 have their lower ends enlarged and apertured to receive the shaft Il), and are formed at the opposite end, intermediate their length, with apertures to receive the bolts 25 and I9 respectively. It will be noted that the member 32 passes between thespacers 22 and '23, -and that the member 3| passes between the spacers 23 and 24.

A pair of spaced, vertically extending members The tine I'I is also Swingable in a verticalv plane. Each of the tines I3, I4 and I1 is lformed 33 and 34 have their lower ends enlarged and apertured to receive the shaft I0, and are also apertured at their opposite ends and at points intermediate their length. The members 33 and 34 extend vertically and parallel to the members 3| and 32 from their lower ends to a location adjacent the outer ends of the spacers 22 and 24 and slightly beyond the bolt I9, the latter being received in the intermediate apertures. The members 33: and 34` extend upwardly and inwardly from the bolt I9. to receive the bolt 25. adjacent the upper ends of the members 3| and 32 respectively.

A pair of bar members 35 and 36 are apertured, intermediate their length and at both ends. The members 35 and 36 receive the bolt 35 in the intermediate apertures thereof adjacent the outer ends of the spacer 28 and the members exs tend horizontally in opposite directions from said bolt. The outer ends of the members 35 and 36, converge toward each other. The left-hand ends of said bars, as viewed in Fig. l, receive a relatively short bolt 31 on which is threaded a nut 38. The opposite ends of the bars 35r and 36 receive an intermediate portion of an elongated horizontally extending bolt Connected at one end to the bolt 31 and extending divergingly downwardly and. inwardly, are bars 39 and 40. The latterhave enlarged apertured lower ends. to receive the shaft I9 and are located one on each side of the tine |;1. The bars 39 and 40 are preferably provided with. a horizontally extending spacing and reinforcing member 4| suitably xed thereto asv by weld'- ing.

A hydraulic ram 42 which is preferably doublel acting has a cylinder 43 and a piston rod 44. The outer end of the piston rod is pivotally connected to the spaced apertured ears I8 of the tineV |1 through a suitable pin (not shown). Theopposite end of the cylinder 43. is pivotally connected to the bolt 31 between the bars 36 and' 4|). and 35. and 3,9.

A pair of bars 46 and 41 are connected to the boltl 25 adjacent the outer ends thereof andv extend divergingly and, horizontally toward the ends of the elongatedv bolt 45 to which they are connected. Threaded on the outer ends of the bolt 45` are nuts 48A and 49. Two pairsv of bars 59 and 5|, and 52y and 53, which are substantially identical4- to. the members 39.` and. 40. are connected at their upper: ends to the outer endsv of the bolt. 45` and. then extend downwardly and inwardly to receive the shaft In; in their lower ends. The lower ends of the members 50 and 5| are posi. tionedat eachl side of the tine I3, and the lower. ends ofthe bars. 52 and 53. are similarly related, to the tine |.4r. Spacing and reinforcing members 54 and 55 are xed tothe bars 56 and' 5|, and1 52 andv 53- respectively as shown. Tubulary spacing members 56 and 51 are positioned on the bolt 45.

A, hydraulic ram 58 which is preferably double acting has a cylinder 59 and a piston rod 6||=. The outer end of the piston rod 60 is pivotally connected to the upstanding ears I8 of the tine |4 through a pin. 6|. The opposite end of the cylinder 59 is pivotally connected to the bolt 45' between the barsVv 5,2I and 5.3.

A hydraulic ram 62 which is preferably double acting has a cylinder 63, and a piston rod 64j. The outer end of the piston rod 641s pivotally connected to the upstanding ears I8w of the tine I3 through a pin 65. The opposite end of the a gear pump 8.4,y and communicates with aport 4 cylinder 63 is preferably pivotally connected to the bolt 45 between the bars 50 and 5|.

Fixed, as by welding, to the tubular member 23 is a manifold 66. Referring to Fig. 3 it will be noted that the manifold 66 is formed with two separate chambers 61 and 68. Referring again to Figs. l and 2 it will be noted that a separate conduit 69 communicates at one end with the upper end of each of the cylinders 43, 59 and 63. Each of the conduits 69 communicates. at its opposite end with the chamber 61` of the manifold 66 as shown in Fig. 3. A separate conduit 10 communicates at one end with the lower end of each of the cylinders 43, 59 and 63, and each of said conduits communicates at its opposite end with the chamber 68 of the manifold 66 as shown in Fig. 3. Conduits 1| and 12 respectively communicate at one end with the chambers 61 and 68 of the manifold 66 and extend to a suitable control valve 13, which, in turn, communicates with a source of fluid, pressure.

Fig. 3 illustrates one form of hydraulic control system. The valve 13 may be of any suitable type,l the one shown being illustrative only. The valve 13 has a hollow cylindrical body 14 through one end wall of which a valve stem 15 slidably projects. Fixed to the stem 15 are a pair of spaced discs 1,6 and 11 which are sli-dable in the cylindrical bore of the body' 14. The body 14 is formed with ports 18 and 19 near each end, and with ports 86 and 8| inwardly of the ports 18 and 19. The ports 80 and 8| are preferably spaced apart the same distance asv the discs 16' and 1 1, and when the stem 15 is in the neutral position of Fig. 3, the discs 16l and 11 close ofl'tlie ports and 8|. Conduit 1|V communicates withthe port 80 and the conduit 12 commi-micatesl with the port 8|. A conduit 8-2' communicates with the ports 18A and 19. A conduit 63 leedsA from a suitable source of; fluid pressure suchY as` in the body 14, said port being positioned be tween the ports 80 and 8|. A conduit 86 pro-v vides an inlet for the pump 84 and commu-nicates with a suitable sump or reservoir 81. The conduit 82 also communicates with the reservoir 81.

When the valve stem 15 is in the position of' Fig. 3 no fluid can flow through the conduits 1'|` and 12 and hence the piston rods 44, 6|) and 64- are locked against movement,l as are the tines |13', |4 and. I1. Movement of the stem 15' to thel dot and dashline position of Fig. 3 permits fluid under pressure to flow from the pum-p 84 throughA theconduitI 83; 1|, chamber 61", and conduits 69=to the; upper ends of the cylinders 43, 59 and 63. This causes the piston rods to extend and moveA the tines I3` and |4 in a counterclockwise direction. as viewed in Fig. l while moving the tine |-1f in the opposite direction. This movement tends to bring the tines to the position of Fig. 2; While thepiston rods are being extended, return fiuid flows from the lower ends ofthe cylinders 43, 59 and 63, through the conduits "lll, chamber 68eon, duit 12,A and conduit 82 back tothe reservoir 815.

To move the tines. inthe oDDDsite. direction. it.. is only necessary to. move the valve stem15 to the dash line position of Fig. 3., This. permits fluid under pressure to flow. from, the conduit 63,l through conduit 1.2;y chamber 68, and conduits. 1.(l` to the lower ends of the cylinders, 4,3... 59` and, 6,3. Thisr causes retractivey movement of the piston rods. and causes thetines. to move outwardly toward the position of Fig. l.

In operation,lthe complete, assembly. disposer?` I acarrear.

as shown in Fig. 1 is lowered onto the material to be handled. This material is ordinarily in the form of substantially parallel elongated units,4

into embracing relationship with a number of I the elongated units of material. The amount of material picked up may vary with the diameter thereof. The tines may stop in the position of Fig. 4 or they may, if only one or a few units are to be picked up, move on to the dot and dash line position of the tines in Fig. 4. The capacity of the improved grapple is limited only by the radius of curvature of its tines. The ability of the tines to move to the dot and dash line position of Fig.

4 is of great advantage because it greatly enlarges the range of use.

Fig. 4 shown a modified form of the invention wherein. single acting rams 42', 58' and 63 are used in place of the double acting rams 42, 58 and `(i3 of the preferred forms. In addition, the modified form of the invention embodies therein chains 88 which are each suitably connected at one end to an outer portion of a tine and which extend upwardly and inwardly to connect with a link 89. The chains 88 project through a suitable fairlead 9|] which is fixed adjacent the inner surfaces of the bars 35 and 36 to guide the movement of said chains. As shown, the modified grapple assembly can Ibe suspended from the link 89.

In the modified for-In of the invention the rams are -connected with the conduits 69 only. These conduits also communicate with a modified form of manifold 66 having a single chamber 61 as shown in Fig. 5. A conduit 1I' communicates with the chamber 61' and with a modified form of valve 13. The valve 13' is connected to a gear pump B4 through a conduit 83' and is connected to a reservoir 81 through a conduit 82. A Iconduit 86' provides 'an inlet for the pump 84' leading from the reservoir 81'.

As shown in Fig. 5, the valve 13' isa three way type, and when it is in the position of Fig. 5 no fluid can iiow through the conduit 1I. Consequently the piston rods 44 as well as the tines are locked against movement.

To cause closing movement of the tines the valve 13 is moved to the position of Fig. 6. This permits fluid under pressure to flow through the conduit 1I', chamber 61' and conduits 69' to the rams 42', 58 and 62 thereby causing outward movement of the piston rods. Opening movement of the tines is accomplished by moving the valve T3' to the position of Fig. 7. This permits fluid to flow from the rams back to the reservoir 81 through the conduits 69', chamber 61', conduit 1I and conduit 82. Since the weight of the entire assembly is supported through the chains 88, the piston rods 44', 60' and 64' are urged into the cylinders 43', 59 and 63' by the force of gravity. The fluid inthe cylinders is, therefore, under constant pressure and tends to flow back to the reservoir when given the opportunity. It is obvious that the pressure built up by the pump 84 must overcome the pressure due to gravity in order to cause closing movement of the tines when the valve 13 is in the position of Fig. 5.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

6I What I claim is: 1. LA-grapple comprising a head; at least two spaced arcuate tines having ends which project in the same direction pivotally connected to the g lower end of said head for swinging movement in vertical planes; at least one arcuate tine having an end which projects in the opposite direction pivotally connected to the lower end of the head for `swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel with and between the planes of movement of said first-mentioned tines; fluid pressure operated means including a separate hydraulic ram supported on said head and connected to each of said tines for causing swinging movement of said tines with at least one tine moving oppositely to the others and means for controlling the simultaneous operation of the tines.

2. A grapple comprising a head; shaft means fixed to said head at least two spaced arcuate tines having free ends which project in the same direction pivotally connectedfat their other ends to said shaft means for free swinging movement in vertical planes; at least one arcuate tine having a free end which projects in the opposite direction pivotally connected at its other end to said shaft means for free swinging movement in a plane substantialy parallel with and between the planes of movement of said firstmentioned tines; fluid pressure operated means including a separate hydraulic ram supported on said head and connected to each of said tines for causing swinging movement of said tines with at least one tine-moving oppositely to the others and means for controlling the simultaneous operation of the tines.

3. A grapple comprising a head; at least two spaced arcuate tines having ends which project 'in `the same direction pivotally connected to the 4. A grapple comprising a supporting head; l at least two spaced arcuate tines having ends which project in the same direction pivotally connected to the lower end of said supporting head for swinging movement in vertical planes; at least one arcuate vtine having an end which projects inthe opposite direction pivotally connected to the lower end of the supporting head for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel with and between the planes of movement of said first-mentioned tines; and means including a' 'separate hydraulic ram for each of said tines for causing swinging movement thereof, each ram having one of its ends connected to its tine and having its other end connected to the supporting head.

5. A grapple comprising a supporting head; at least two spaced arcuate tines having ends which project in the same direction pivotally assassin nected to the lower end of the supporting head for swinging movement in a plane. substantially parallel with and. between the planes of movement of said. first-mentioned tines.; and meansl including a separate double-acting hydraulic ram foreach of said tines for causing swinging movement. thereof, each ram having one of its.

ends connected to its tine and' having its other end connected to the supporting, head.

6. A` grapple comprising a. supporting headl;

at least two. spaced arcuate tines. having ends.

which project in; the same direction pivotally connected to the lower end of said supporting head. for swinging movement in vertical' planes.; at least one arcuate tine having an end which projects in. the opposite directionI pivotally con.-

'nectedf to the lower end; of the. supporting' head for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel with; andi between. the, planes; of.` movement of: said first-mentioned tines; and a sep,- arate hydraulic ramv for each of said tines, said rams each. having a cylinder connected to said supporting head and havingr a downwardly eietensible piston rod connected; to one of. said tines. for causingy swingingA movement of.' said. tine asY saidpiston. rod.` is. moved 7'. A. grapple comprising ahead; at. least two.

substantiallyI parallel with and'- between. theplanes of movement of said!rst-mentioneditines; suspension chainsy connectedi tosaid tines. for normally holding. saldg tines: ini open: position with. the free. end. off each. tine disposed substantially entirely outwardly of the vertical' plane through its: axis; oi.'A pivotal! movement;- andi fluid. pressure operated. meansfsupported on1said headi and: conn nect'edf to.` said4` tinesY forI moving said tines tol a closed position'.

8; A grappley comprisinga. headi; at least two spaced-2 arcuaten tines.v having free endswhich project in. thesame direction: pivotallyf connectedI to the lowerv end.. or said: head'I for swinging movementinivertical planes;l at least-one arcuate tinehaving an end which projeotsa inther oppositedirection pivotally connected4v to thelower endl of the head for swinging movement in a plane` substantially parallelfwithand!between-.theI planes of movementoff said first-mentioned tines; suspension chains connectedl to'said tines' for normallyV holding said tines inopen position withv the free end ofeachtine disposedv substantially entirely outwardly ofy` the vertical plane through its axis of pivotal" movement; and Il'uid pressure operated'means supported on said head'andcon.- nected to said tines for moving said` tines to a closed position wherein the free end' of each tine is disposed substantially inwardly of saidw` plane.

9.. A. grapple comprising a. supporting frame.

having downwardly converging members; atleast twoi spaced, arcuate` tines having free: endsr which project in the same direction pivotally connected to the lower ends of said downwardly converging members for swinging movement in vertical planes-f; at least. one arcuate tine having. an end which projects inv the' opposite direction pivotally connected to the. lowerr ends of said` downwardly converging` members for swingingv movement in a plane substantially parallel with andvv between the planesy of movement of said first-mentioned tines.; and means including a. separate hydraulic ram for. each. of said tines` for causing. swinging, movement thereof, each ram having oneV of its ends connected. to thesupporting. frame adjacent. the upper end. of one. of the converging membersl and. having itsv other end: connected'. to:` its tine.

1.0;v A. grapple comprising a supporting. frame having downwardly converging members at. least' twoy spaced arcuate tines having free ends; which projectin the same.- direction pivotallv connected. to the lower endsv of said downwardly convergingv members: for swinging movement. in vertical' planes; atleast onel arcuate tine having an end' which projects in thel opposite direction pivotallyl connectedf to the lower ends of said? downwardly converging members for swinging movement in a4 plane substantially parallel with andy between the planes. of movement of. said first-mentioned tines; and means including aseparate hydraulic ram for each of said' tines for causing swinging movement thereof, each'A ram having one of its ends connected to the supporting frame adjacent. the:` upper end` of one of the converging members and having its other end connected tof its tine, at leastoner ram having itsV upper end posi'- tlonedI oppositely on the frame. to the upper ends ofl the other rams and extending in downwardly converging relationship with respect to said other rams.

l1. A grapple, comprising: a frame; at least two spaced arcuate tineshaving free ends which project in the same direction pivotallyI connected: to the frame for swinging movement in vertical planes; atleast one arcuate tine having an= end which projects inthe opposite direction pivotally connectedsto the frame for swingingv movement in a- Vertical plane; suspension. members connected to said tines by which said' grapple` is* suspended; said members normally holdingv said; tines in open position; and-fluid pressureoperated means connectedibetween saldi frame andi tines for moving; said tines to closed position;

RQY O. BILLINGS.

References Cited' inthe flle of this patent4 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Datel 9077272. McKinley etv al'. Dec. 22, 1908v 1v,156;24'7/ Murrev Oct. 12, 1915 1.30.7i005l Joy June 1,7; 1919 1,346,1t'i0y Barlow July.' 13; 1920 1-,3923230 Shade Sept. 2,7; 1921 2,fl12,845. y Stevens Dec. 171946 23491306. Frantz Dec; 20; H419l 

